including the country's head of border security.ll the russian-made aircraft went down near the southern city of shymkent. the dead also included seven crew members and 19 border guards. there was no immediate word on the cause of the crash, but kazakhstan has been plagued by heavy winds and snow in recent weeks. the long-time actor charles durning died monday at his home in new york. he came to be known as the "king of the character actors" in a 50-year career that spanned 5 broadway, the movies and television. along the way, he earned two oscar nominations. one was for his role as the corrupt governor in "the best little whorehouse in texas" in 1982. i and in "tootsie," he played the9 unwitting suitor of dustin hoffman, who was posing as a female soap opera star. charles durning was 89 years old. those are some of the day's major stories. a now, back to gwen. >> ifill: we turn to politics and part two of our look at upcoming elections.>g last night, i talked with newshour political editor christina bellantoni and shira toeplitz of roll call about hot senate contests. tonight, we continue ou